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Browsing by Subject "Resilient Communities Project-GreenStep Cities Guide"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
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    Climate Change Adaptation: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Butler, Megan (editor)
    The impacts of climate change are already being seen throughout Minnesota in the form of warmer average annual temperatures, higher precipitation rates, and stronger storm events. Minnesota has the ability to adapt to the threats posed by climate change and communities throughout the state are already working to address climate change locally by adopting local climate change resilience strategies. One of the first steps in climate change adaptation is addressing the issue of climate change with local residents. This toolkit is designed to help Minnesota communities develop climate change education programs by assessing the current level of resident knowledge, attitudes, and engagement related to climate change issues. The toolkit features a survey that can be used to assess city residents’ knowledge of and attitudes toward climate change, as well as gather information on extreme weather event vulnerability. The toolkit includes additional resources to help guide survey implementation, information on collaborating with local community groups to conduct surveys or climate change education programs, as well as examples of climate change preparedness plans that have been developed by cities in Minnesota. This document has been prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was adapted from student work completed in partnership with RCP and the City of Rosemount during the 2014–2015 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180454.
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    Community Gardening: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Gary, Hannah (editor)
    Community gardening can be a partial solution to food access issues. Access to fresh produce grown in a community garden has the potential to improve nutrition and decrease obesity-related health problems. In addition to the physical health benefits, community gardens provide a communal gathering space which can help to strengthen ties among residents. Strong community ties are important for fostering healthy, resilient communities. This guide is organized into three phases of planning for a community garden: (1) Planning for a community garden, (2) Managing a community garden, and (3) Food distribution and consumption. This resource was developed from two reports completed by graduate and undergraduate students through partnerships between the Resilient Communities Project (RCP) at the University of Minnesota and the Cities of North St. Paul and Rosemount, Minnesota, during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 academic years, respectively. Although the original reports were developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student reports can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/194784 and https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180464.
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    Conservation Development Conservation Design Scorecard: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Strain, Sarah (editor)
    Conservation design is an innovative approach to development that enables communities to balance development objectives with conservation goals, typically through a combination of more dense development and preservation of large, contiguous areas of open space. In 2009, Envision Minnesota created a Conservation Design Scorecard that planners, planning commissions, local officials, developers, conservation professionals, and residents can use to ensure conservation design developments meet their objectives of preserving the environmental integrity of the development site, creating a unique sense of place, and fostering a more open development process that engages neighbors and community members. Developments are rated on 10 basic characteristics using measureable criteria: amount of open space, value of open space, connectivity of open space, legal protection of open space, minimal environmental and viewshed impacts, minimal impacts from roads, storm water managed onsite, wastewater appropriately managed, transparent and open application process, and community sense of place. This resource presents a slightly adapted version of the scorecard more appropriate for suburban contexts. This document was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. It was adapted from work originally completed through a partnership between RCP and the City of Minnetonka, Minnesota, during the 2012–2013 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, the findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/185366.
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    Defining Sustainability in City Policy: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Strain, Sarah (editor)
    Planning for sustainability promotes responsible development that protects the health, safety, and general welfare of our communities. A key part of any local sustainability effort is defining what sustainability means in a given community. This resources offers guidance to cities interested in integrating sustainability into planning, development, and key city operations. Included is a model resolution for adopting a definition of sustainability. This document has been prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was developed from a report completed by students through a partnership between RCP and the City of North St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 2013–2014 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/194807.
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    Greening Lawn Irrigation: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Butler, Megan (editor)
    Water conservation is becoming an increasingly urgent concern for communities throughout Minnesota. Natural replenishment of aquifers may not keep up with the rate of use seen in Minnesota. The loss of groundwater reserves can result in increased pumping costs, and impact local lakes, streams and wetlands. Local municipalities can help to address this problem by engaging local homeowners in conversations to educate them about water conservation and motivate them to make simple changes in their homes to conserve this precious resource. This resource provides a toolkit for cities seeking to engage homeowners in water conservation through improved lawn care practices. This document has been prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was adapted from student work completed in partnership with RCP and the City of Rosemount during the 2014–2015 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student reports can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180444 and https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180446.
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    Improving the Educational Role of Municipal Solar Installations: A Resilient Communities Project-GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Butler, Megan (editor)
    Investment in solar energy in Minnesota has increased dramatically in the last decade, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce projects that the state’s solar capacity will continue to grow. While solar systems have been lauded for their ability to provide a safe, resilient, zero-emission source of locally produced energy, solar installations also offer a valuable educational opportunity for local residents. This tool is meant to serve as a guide for communities interested in increasing the educational value of municipal solar installations. This document was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. The materials contained within this guide have been adapted from student work completed in partnership with RCP and Carver County, Minnesota, during the 2015–2016 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/184904.
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    Local Food Indicators—A Checklist for Assessing Local Food Systems: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Gary, Hannah (editor)
    Encouraging a successful local food system is a step that cities can take to build more resilient communities. In addition to the physical health benefits associated with improving access to fruits and vegetables, strengthening the local food system can help support the local economy, strengthen social connections, and build resident investment in the community. This local food indicator checklist is meant to provide communities with measures to assess their current local food system. The checklist may be used at the beginning of an initiative to strengthen the local food system, and again at the end to measure progress. This document was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was adapted from student work completed in partnership with RCP and the City of Rosemount during the 2014–2015 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180435.
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    Managing Emerald Ash Borer: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Strain, Sarah (editor)
    This decision document helps local government agencies develop an emerald ash borer management plan based on the “acceptable risks” the community is willing to take ecologically, economically, and socially to manage the problem. This resource was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. The resource was developed from work completed by two teams of students through a partnership between RCP and the City of North St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 2013–2014 academic year. Although the original reports were developed for a specific community, the students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student reports can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/194801 and https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/194802. 
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    Nature-Based Recreation: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Gary, Hannah (editor)
    Nature-based play principles focus on providing children with more opportunities to interact in a natural environment and exercise active imagination for play. Incorporating more nature-based play elements into existing parks and play areas has the potential to increase physical activity and improve other developmental processes. This tool outlines the benefits of nature-based play, offers background information on the theories behind nature-based play ideas, and gives design recommendations for incorporating nature-based play elements into existing parks. This document was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was developed from three reports completed by graduate and undergraduate students through a partnership between RCP and the City of Rosemount, Minnesota, during the 2014–2015 academic year. Although the original reports were developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student reports can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180465, https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/180467, and http://hdl.handle.net/11299/180468.
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    Transit-Oriented Development Recommendations and Guidelines: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Gary, Hannah (editor)
    Transit-oriented development (TOD) refers to mixed-use, walkable developments located around transit stations. In order to be a successful TOD location, the area must incorporate mixed-uses, walkable design, and location-efficient development. This resource presents several case studies that can help suburban communities develop a realistic vision for TOD areas with supporting policy to implement that vision. Lessons learned from the case studies can help to guide the planning process, and examples provide insight into the elements of a successful TOD project. This document has been prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This tool was developed from a report completed by University of Minnesota graduate students in partnership with RCP and the City of Minnetonka during the 2012–2013 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/185386.
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    Transportation Demand Management Recommendations and Guidelines: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Gary, Hannah (editor)
    Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a process of developing a plan to maximize transportation system efficiency. Different strategies are used to reduce dependency on single-occupancy vehicles (SOV), including transit, biking, walking, and carpooling. In addition to encouraging the use of alternative forms of transportation, successful TDM plans work to use infrastructure more efficiently by redistributing concentrated rush hour travel demand throughout the day. This guide provides an introduction to TDM for cities, and includes model ordinances and other resources for implementing a TDM policy. This document has been prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This tool was developed from a report completed by University of Minnesota graduate students in partnership with RCP and the City of Minnetonka during the 2012–2013 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/185388.
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    Zero-Commute Futures—Opportunities for Live-Work Housing: A Resilient Communities Project–GreenStep Cities Guide
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota., 2016) Strain, Sarah (editor)
    This report provides a summary of live-work housing as an opportunity for creation of a mix of housing choices in the community and to expand the economic base through job creation. It highlights relevant case studies and necessary considerations for proper zoning and policy to support live-work housing. This document was prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP) for the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. This resource was developed from work completed by a team of graduate students through a partnership between RCP and the City of North St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 2013–2014 academic year. Although the original report was developed for a specific community, students’ findings and recommendations have been synthesized and generalized, and additional research has been conducted where necessary, to produce a resource that is relevant to communities throughout Minnesota. The original student report can be found at https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/187746.